Advantage Sweden Magazine (PDF)
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A MAGAZINE ABOUT EXPANDING INTO SWEDEN | ISSUE NO. 1 / 2018 ADVANTAGE SWEDEN DATA CENTERS Amazon Web Services chose Sweden for their next data center region TREND How Swedish startups became unicorns DISRUPTING INDUSTRY Digitization is changing the construction business ENERGY STORAGE Charging ahead with Europe’s largest ‘green’ battery factory Join Sweden in Designing a digital future SWEDEN IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Sweden is one of the most competitive, productive and globalised nations in the world. It’s a country of open skies and open minds, producing world-leading businesses across a large number of industries and sectors. Let Business Sweden help you. With 55 international offices and Market and industry insights a regional network of offices in Sweden, Business Sweden is a Business opportunity identification government agency offering qualified consultancy to facilitate the Partner search and matchmaking support establishment and growth of international business in Sweden. Establishment support Whether you are looking to access the Swedish market or tap Network access into world class R&D in leading industries, we connect international Site selection companies with investment opportunities in Sweden and help you open up for business. Read more at www.business-sweden.com 2 | BUSINESS SWEDEN | ADVANTAGE SWEDEN www.business-sweden.com CONTENT Paving the way for a digital future nnovation has been a cornerstone for Swedish business culture for centuries. Global companies such as Ericsson, Volvo, IAstra Zeneca and Sandvik have emerged from this unique and broad culture. The Swedish brand stands for quality and reliability. High per capita purchasing power, healthy financials with technology and innovation at the forefront are other reasons why Sweden continues to be an attractive country to invest and operate in. INFRASTRUCTURE / p. 4 DIGITAL DETERMINATION / p. 22 Sweden offers an international business environment that is International construction Sweden on track to be modern and business friendly. Skilled professionals, smooth firms find road to success in the Nordic’s key IT hub business procedures, and openness to international partnerships Sweden MATERIALS OF THE FUTURE / p. 24 makes it an easy country to operate in. According to the World INFRASTRUCTURE / p. 7 Natural resources meet Bank, Sweden is among the world’s top ten economies in terms Huge investments transform human ingenuity of ease of doing business. Swedish industry will lead the way Stockhwolm airport into when climate change, globalisation and the digital transforma- DISRUPTING INDUSTRY / p. 26 Arlanda City tion demand rapid Crowdfunding and 3D “Sweden offers an adaptation. Sweden is DATA CENTERS / p. 8 modeling: How digitization a pioneer for free and Why Amazon Web Services is changing the construction international business fair trade. chose Sweden for their next business With the ongoing data center region environment that is E-COMMERCE / p. 28 digital revolution, DATA CENTERS / p. 10 Sweden ideal for hi-tech modern and business companies need to Understanding the cloud: distribution friendly.” prepare for a transfor- it’s child’s play mation that is forcing FINTECH / p. 30 them to reimagine the way to operate. Successful Swedish TREND / p. 12 Sweden primed to become companies have already been born, Spotify, Klarna and iZettle, A touch of magic: How world’s first cashless society to mention a few. However, the transformation encompasses Swedish startups become SMART INDUSTRY / p. 32 much more than the ICT sector. New technology is transforming unicorns Car parts, cartilage, and existing industries, such as manufacturing, materials, automotive DIGITAL HEALTH / p. 14 cocktail dresses – all at the and logistics. How an established firm click of a button The Swedish government has adopted a strategy for Sweden is harnessing Swedish startup to become the world leader in harnessing the opportunities of ENERGY STORAGE / p. 34 innovation digital transformation. We are set on continuing to be at the Charging ahead with forefront of innovation. We welcome you to take part in this CREATING SYNERGY / p. 16 Europe's largest 'green' development. Combining old and new: how battery factory traditional firms cooperate COMPUTER GAME / p. 36 Ann Linde with startups Minister for EU Affairs and Trade Sweden: a star player in CONNECTED CARS / p. 18 global gaming industry Mikael Damberg No longer need for a Minister for Enterprise and Innovation BUSINESS SWEDEN / p. 37 backseat driver Your partner when finding EXPANDING IN SWEDEN / p. 20 new ventures The smooth way to business LOCAL ASSISTANCE / p. 38 success Which region are you interested in? About Business Sweden Business Sweden’s purpose is to help Swedish companies to grow global sales and international companies to invest and expand in Sweden. For Swedish companies, we provide strategic advice, sales execution and operational support. For international companies we ensure that they can rely on our knowledge, experience and extensive network to identify new business opportunities and achieve an accelerated return on investment. Business Sweden is present in 50 of the world's most promising markets and owned by the Swedish Government and the industry, a partnership that provides access to contacts and networks at all levels. Sweden of Offices Pohl/Government Kristian Photo: www.business-sweden.com BUSINESS SWEDEN | ADVANTAGE SWEDEN | 3 INFRASTRUCTURE Illustration of future development in central Täby, north of Stockholm. (Illustration: Archus Arkitekter) 4 | BUSINESS SWEDEN | ADVANTAGE SWEDEN www.business-sweden.com INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION FIRMS FIND ROAD TO SUCCESS IN SWEDEN As Sweden’s population and economy continue to grow, so does the need for transport infrastructure to meet rising demand. nfrastructure investment in Sweden has hit a 20- “Sweden’s a big country, and companies need to year high, creating exciting opportunities for global efficiently transport goods. As the population grows and infrastructure companies in Scandinavia’s largest more people commute to jobs, it’s important for them market. For the period 2018–2029 the government to have reliable transportation too.” Ihas allocated around EUR 63 billion for investments Several major projects are now underway to improve into transport infrastructure, an increase of roughly transport infrastructure throughout Sweden. Andersson EUR 10 billion more than the current plan. explains that top priority is more roads and an efficient The investment programme will bolster the already railway that can transport more people in a shorter strong transport system to meet the needs of a grow- time, reducing congestion on the roads. ing population, as well as tackling the government’s “We have big projects planned in Stockholm and goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Gothenburg,” says Andersson. “Today we invest around 3,5 billion EUR a year maintaining Sweden’s roads and railway system, but AMONG OTHER THINGS, there are plans for high-speed that figure will go up to 4,3 billion EUR,” explains rail lines such as Västlänken (The West Link), which in- Anders Andersson, purchasing and logistics opera- cludes a new railway tunnel running under Gothenburg; tions manager at the Swedish Transport Administra- and Östlänken (The East Link), a high-speed railway tion (Trafikverket), the public agency with overarching between Järna and Linköping. responsibility for the country’s transport system, There’s also the Stockholm bypass – Förbifart Stock- including roadways and rail systems. holm – a massive project that will connect southern and The surge in funds comes in response to increased northern Stockholm County and reduce inner-city road road traffic which has led to delays and disruptions for traffic by taking motorists around central Stockholm on a both businesses and workers. new roadway that includes several bridges and tunnels. Recognising this barrier to economic growth, the And that’s just a glimpse of what Trafikverket has in Swedish government has adopted an infrastructure store. A full list of planned and current procurements is bill that enables the Transport Administration to kept regularly updated in Swedish and English on the improve the standard of Sweden’s existing roads and Transport Administration’s website. railway system. “A good transport infrastructure is very important,” THE SWEDISH CONSTRUCTION industry is dominated says Andersson. by several companies that are already trying to cope » www.business-sweden.com BUSINESS SWEDEN | ADVANTAGE SWEDEN | 5 INFRASTRUCTURE Infrastructure minister: we welcome foreign companies A view inside the planned Västlänken tunnel, currently with an influx of infrastructure projects, including the Sweden’s Minister for Infrastructure, Tomas Eneroth, explains the needs and goals behind the under construction beneath building of around 600,000 more homes to address Gothenburg and due to country’s historic investments in infrastructure open in 2026. Sweden’s housing shortage. and how foreign firms can contribute. Thus the current construction boom represents an historic opportunity for foreign firms to help Sweden Infrastructure investment in Sweden is at record- achieve its ambitious goals. high levels, in large part to support the current government’s priorities of jobs, schools, and “We’re building a lot in Sweden at the moment,” climate action, including Sweden becoming one of says Andersson. “Every town and city needs more the world’s first fossil-free welfare nations. roads, apartments, and transport